sword of Damocles

PRONUNCIATION:

(sord uhv DAM-uh-kleez)

MEANING:

noun: An ever-present threat; an impending disaster.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Damocles of Greek legend. Damocles was a courtier who flattered the
ruler Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, to excess. The fulsome praise so annoyed
the king that he decided to teach him a lesson. He held a banquet in honor of
Damocles but when Damocles saw the sword hanging by a single horse-hair over
his head, he lost all taste for the lavish feast. He realized that even those
who appear to enjoy great fortune face fears and worries. By the way, the
word impending literally means hanging over.

USAGE:

"Roth said, 'The threat of an audit ... looms like the sword of Damocles
over the heads of taxpayers.'"
IRS Chief Wants to Balance Service, Enforcement; The Advocate (Stamford,
Connecticut); Feb 13, 2009.